AI for Research

Prompt engineering is the process of structuring prompts for generative AI to return the most helpful output. Use prompts that are clearly defined in order to obtain the best results.

Use the CLEAR framework when thinking about prompt engineering:

C-Concise

• Remove unnecessary words and information
• e.g. Can you explain the difference between Adlerian and Freudian thinking?  → Explain the difference between Adlerian and Freudian thinking.

L-Logical

• Explain the steps in a prompt in logical order.
• e.g. Describe the scientific method → Describe the scientific method starting with a hypothesis and ending with a conclusion.

• Be clear about what kind of output you are looking for, including the type of information and how to convey it
• e.g. Tell me about Alfred Adler’s life and work → Provide a brief overview to Alfred Adler’s life, emphasizing his contributions to psychology.

• Be adaptable about the scope of your prompt.
• e.g. Explain the history of psychology → Explain the history of psychology research from 1890-1920.

• Evaluate the success of your prompt on measures of accuracy and relevance
• Refine your prompt as needed

Adapted from: Lo, L. S. (2023). The CLEAR path: A framework for enhancing information literacy through prompt engineering. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 49(4), 102720. https://rg/10.1016/j.acalib.2023.102720.